US5450653A - Composite knob with an insertable position indicator - Google Patents
Composite knob with an insertable position indicator Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US5450653A US5450653A US08/177,600 US17760094A US5450653A US 5450653 A US5450653 A US 5450653A US 17760094 A US17760094 A US 17760094A US 5450653 A US5450653 A US 5450653A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- core
- position indicator
- front wall
- knob
- stanchion
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
- G05G1/00—Controlling members, e.g. knobs or handles; Assemblies or arrangements thereof; Indicating position of controlling members
- G05G1/015—Arrangements for indicating the position of a controlling member
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S16/00—Miscellaneous hardware, e.g. bushing, carpet fastener, caster, door closer, panel hanger, attachable or adjunct handle, hinge, window sash balance
- Y10S16/19—Cast or molded handles
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S16/00—Miscellaneous hardware, e.g. bushing, carpet fastener, caster, door closer, panel hanger, attachable or adjunct handle, hinge, window sash balance
- Y10S16/30—Knob, control lever
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T74/00—Machine element or mechanism
- Y10T74/20—Control lever and linkage systems
- Y10T74/20576—Elements
- Y10T74/20732—Handles
- Y10T74/20834—Hand wheels
- Y10T74/2084—Knob or dial
Definitions
- This invention is directed to an alignment indicator or pointer for a composite plastic knob which indicator can be snapped into place in the knob.
- Composite knobs of the type having a hard, resilient core and an outer covering that is soft to the user's touch are usually molded in what is called a "two-shot" molding process.
- An indicator having the necessary tactile and visual differentiation from the material of the outer covering could theoretically be molded as part of the outer covering but such an integrally formed pointer would, by necessity, be of the same color and same material as the outer coating. Therefore, to visually distinguish the indicator from the outer covering, it would be necessary to highlight the indicator by the application of paint, ink, etc., through a separate and labor intensive process.
- an object of this invention is a snap-in indicator for a composite plastic knob which indicator provides to the user both a tactile and visual differentiation from the outer covering of the knob.
- Another object of this invention is a snap-in indicator for a knob that is securely maintained in position by a detent on the indicator which engages the knob core when it is inserted into position in the knob.
- Still another object of this invention is a snap-in indicator for a composite plastic knob in which the ease of insertion of and the holding power of the indicator can be adjusted by balancing the rigidity of the indicator relative to the rigidity of the knob.
- FIG. 1 is an enlarged, front view of a composite knob made in accordance with the teachings of this invention and having a snap-in indicator;
- FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the knob of FIG. 1 rotated 90°;
- FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the knob of FIG. 1 with the snap-in indicator omitted.
- FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the snap-in indicator of this invention.
- the drawings show a composite knob 11 having a core 13 and an outer covering 15 with the core conventionally made of a hard injection molded plastic material and the outer covering made of a softer injection molded plastic with the composite knob normally molded in what is referred to as a "two-shot" process.
- the core 13 of the knob includes a hub 19 having a socket 21, a front wall 23 with an outer peripheral skirt 25, an intermediate cylindrical wall 27 with webs 29 connecting the hub and the intermediate cylindrical wall. Additional webs (not shown) may connect the intermediate wall 27 to the outer peripheral skirt 25. These additional webs may align with or be offset circumferentially relative to the webs 29.
- a pair of non-radial webs 30 extend between the outer peripheral wall 25 and the intermediate cylindrical wall 27 at a flattened portion 27a of the wall 27 as shown in FIG. 4.
- the portion 27a of the intermediate cylindrical wall functions as a bridge in a manner to be hereinafter described.
- a stanchion 31 extends axially rearwardly parallel to the hub 19 and is located between the hub and the intermediate cylindrical wall 27.
- a web 32 extends between the stanchion and the hub 19 to stiffen the stanchion against deflection.
- the amount of deflection of the stanchion can be varied by varying the axial length of the web or by providing webs at opposite sides of the stanchion which, in effect, would box in the stanchion.
- the stanchion terminates at a bottom edge 33 which is located axially inwardly of the rearward end of the intermediate cylindrical wall.
- a pair of axially extending ribs 34 are formed on the outwardly facing side of the stanchion 31 to form a guide or track. The ribs continue around the end of the stanchion at 34a as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
- One or more core inserts are positioned in the mold during the "two shots" which create the composite knob 11.
- the outer covering 15 formed by the "second shot” adheres to the front wall 23 and outer peripheral skirt 25 of the core 13.
- a narrow radially extending passage 35 is formed through the outer covering 15, the front wall 23 and the skirt 25 by the core inserts to open into the space between the stanchion 31 and the intermediate cylindrical wall 27 of the core 13.
- the core inserts direct the molten material of the outer covering to form a wall 37 of the soft outer material at the radial inwardly end of the passage 35.
- Seats 39 and 41 are formed respectively by the core inserts on the intermediate cylindrical wall 27, the skirt 25 and its outer covering 15.
- the position indicator 51 is formed of a flat thin piece of plastic of irregular shape having an arcuate portion 53 at one end, a detent 55 at the opposite end and a notch 57 located between the ends thereof.
- the detent has an inclined surface 61.
- Hemispherical seat engaging protrusions 63 are formed at the lower end of the arcuate portion 53.
- the two hemispherical protrusions 63 are provided to seat the end of the arcuate portion 53 on the seats 41 because they are easier to form in a mold than is the shape required to form an edge at the bottom end of arcuate portion 53 which would have a convex bottom surface and a convex radial outer end.
- the indicator 51 is separately molded of a hard plastic material preferably having a color contrasting with the color of the material of the outer covering 15 of the composite knob.
- the notch 57 of the indicator is seated on the top surface 39 of a portion of the inner cylindrical wall 27 which functions as a bridge with the protrusions 63 engaging the surfaces 41 formed on the peripheral skirt 25 of the inner core and the outer covering 15.
- the indicator 51 is supported and locked in position with its arcuate portion 53 extending slightly above the outer covering 15 of the knob to provide both a tactile and visible position indicator for the knob.
- the wall 37 of soft outer covering 15 allows cushioning deflection of the indicator 51 as it is installed in the narrow passage 35.
- all of the intermediate cylindrical wall 27, except the flattened portion 27a located between the webs 30, may be omitted.
- the remaining portion 27a will function as a bridge between the webs 30 to provide the seat 39 for the indicator 51.
- the design of the composite knob 11 and the indicator 51 permits the balancing of the rigidity of the snap-in indicator relative to the rigidity of the knob.
- the rigidity of the stanchion 31 can be changed by varying the length of its web 32.
- the rigidity of the indicator can be varied by removing interior portions of its body or by varying the width of its body.
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
- Injection Moulding Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
- Slide Fasteners, Snap Fasteners, And Hook Fasteners (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (7)
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US08/177,600 US5450653A (en) | 1994-01-05 | 1994-01-05 | Composite knob with an insertable position indicator |
US08/498,631 US5669104A (en) | 1994-01-05 | 1995-07-06 | Composite knob with an insertable position indicator |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US08/177,600 US5450653A (en) | 1994-01-05 | 1994-01-05 | Composite knob with an insertable position indicator |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US08/498,631 Continuation US5669104A (en) | 1994-01-05 | 1995-07-06 | Composite knob with an insertable position indicator |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US5450653A true US5450653A (en) | 1995-09-19 |
Family
ID=22649236
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US08/177,600 Expired - Fee Related US5450653A (en) | 1994-01-05 | 1994-01-05 | Composite knob with an insertable position indicator |
US08/498,631 Expired - Fee Related US5669104A (en) | 1994-01-05 | 1995-07-06 | Composite knob with an insertable position indicator |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US08/498,631 Expired - Fee Related US5669104A (en) | 1994-01-05 | 1995-07-06 | Composite knob with an insertable position indicator |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US5450653A (en) |
Cited By (16)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5845365A (en) * | 1996-01-05 | 1998-12-08 | The Grigoleit Company | Method for manufacturing an indicator knob and a knob |
EP0957422A2 (en) | 1998-05-14 | 1999-11-17 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Control knob using led for backlighting |
US6467131B1 (en) * | 2000-05-31 | 2002-10-22 | The Grigoleit Company | Friction fit knob with anti-torque capabilities |
US6591457B1 (en) * | 2000-06-08 | 2003-07-15 | The Grigoleit Company | Multi-component button and a method of manufacturing it |
US20030178280A1 (en) * | 2002-03-20 | 2003-09-25 | Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd. | Electric power tool |
US20040001329A1 (en) * | 2002-06-28 | 2004-01-01 | Worrell James L. | Backlightable knob, which has indicator bonded intimately to light pipe, and method of making same |
US20040070574A1 (en) * | 2002-10-04 | 2004-04-15 | Wylie Brian D. | Method and apparatus for appliance control and status display |
US20040107545A1 (en) * | 2002-12-06 | 2004-06-10 | K I Industries, Inc. | Method of making polymeric knob and polymeric knob made thereby |
US7036188B1 (en) | 2004-03-24 | 2006-05-02 | The Grigoleit Company | Composite knob with light pipe leakage barrier |
US20060171136A1 (en) * | 2005-02-03 | 2006-08-03 | Horoho David R | Illuminated knob |
US20110035902A1 (en) * | 2009-08-11 | 2011-02-17 | Niles Co., Ltd. | Knob |
US20110102918A1 (en) * | 2008-06-22 | 2011-05-05 | Windauer Bernard T | Operator-selectable-stop turret knob |
US8670179B2 (en) | 2008-12-08 | 2014-03-11 | Bernard T. Windauer | Multi-function turret knob |
USD793205S1 (en) * | 2016-08-22 | 2017-08-01 | Gate Labs Inc. | Door lock |
USD957604S1 (en) * | 2019-10-29 | 2022-07-12 | Mitsubishi Electric Corporation | Air conditioner |
USD957603S1 (en) * | 2019-10-29 | 2022-07-12 | Mitsubishi Electric Corporation | Air conditioner |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5969748A (en) | 1996-05-29 | 1999-10-19 | Starsight Telecast, Inc. | Television schedule system with access control |
DE19636643C1 (en) * | 1996-09-10 | 1998-02-12 | Preh Elektro Feinmechanik | Knob top |
GB9824822D0 (en) * | 1998-11-13 | 1999-01-06 | Business Lines Limited | A position indicator assembly |
GB0400324D0 (en) * | 2004-01-08 | 2004-02-11 | Thomson Ian R | Railway inspection and maintenance system |
Citations (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3163739A (en) * | 1961-09-13 | 1964-12-29 | Gen Electric | Switch with selectively lighted pushbutton actuators |
US3619594A (en) * | 1970-01-30 | 1971-11-09 | Chicago Musical Instr Co | Illuminated knob |
US4000539A (en) * | 1976-01-29 | 1977-01-04 | Arens Controls, Inc. | Hollow knob |
DE2636920A1 (en) * | 1976-08-17 | 1978-02-23 | Agfa Gevaert Ag | Elastic plastics knob locking device - has locking projection on tubular shaft and interlocking elements between knob and hole surface |
GB1561972A (en) * | 1976-08-09 | 1980-03-05 | Turnock Ltd George | Knobs |
US5050269A (en) * | 1989-09-05 | 1991-09-24 | Motorola, Inc. | Control knob |
EP0498960A1 (en) * | 1991-02-13 | 1992-08-19 | Bosch-Siemens HausgerÀ¤te GmbH | Turning knob for operating the adjustment shaft of a controller |
GB2253898A (en) * | 1991-03-19 | 1992-09-23 | Hotpoint Ltd | Safety flush control knob. e.g. for domestic appliances |
GB2253996A (en) * | 1990-09-22 | 1992-09-30 | John Martyn Cuthbert | Knob |
US5303612A (en) * | 1992-12-24 | 1994-04-19 | Honeywell Inc. | Increased diameter detachable thermostat knob allowing easier thermostat use |
-
1994
- 1994-01-05 US US08/177,600 patent/US5450653A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1995
- 1995-07-06 US US08/498,631 patent/US5669104A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3163739A (en) * | 1961-09-13 | 1964-12-29 | Gen Electric | Switch with selectively lighted pushbutton actuators |
US3619594A (en) * | 1970-01-30 | 1971-11-09 | Chicago Musical Instr Co | Illuminated knob |
US4000539A (en) * | 1976-01-29 | 1977-01-04 | Arens Controls, Inc. | Hollow knob |
GB1561972A (en) * | 1976-08-09 | 1980-03-05 | Turnock Ltd George | Knobs |
DE2636920A1 (en) * | 1976-08-17 | 1978-02-23 | Agfa Gevaert Ag | Elastic plastics knob locking device - has locking projection on tubular shaft and interlocking elements between knob and hole surface |
US5050269A (en) * | 1989-09-05 | 1991-09-24 | Motorola, Inc. | Control knob |
GB2253996A (en) * | 1990-09-22 | 1992-09-30 | John Martyn Cuthbert | Knob |
EP0498960A1 (en) * | 1991-02-13 | 1992-08-19 | Bosch-Siemens HausgerÀ¤te GmbH | Turning knob for operating the adjustment shaft of a controller |
GB2253898A (en) * | 1991-03-19 | 1992-09-23 | Hotpoint Ltd | Safety flush control knob. e.g. for domestic appliances |
US5303612A (en) * | 1992-12-24 | 1994-04-19 | Honeywell Inc. | Increased diameter detachable thermostat knob allowing easier thermostat use |
Cited By (27)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USRE37687E1 (en) | 1996-01-05 | 2002-05-07 | The Grigoleit Company | Method for manufacturing an indicator knob and a knob |
US6391243B1 (en) | 1996-01-05 | 2002-05-21 | The Grigoleit Company | Method for manufacturing an indicator knob |
US6568036B1 (en) | 1996-01-05 | 2003-05-27 | The Grigoleit Company | Composite indicator knob and a method for manufacturing a knob |
US5845365A (en) * | 1996-01-05 | 1998-12-08 | The Grigoleit Company | Method for manufacturing an indicator knob and a knob |
EP0957422A2 (en) | 1998-05-14 | 1999-11-17 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Control knob using led for backlighting |
US6467131B1 (en) * | 2000-05-31 | 2002-10-22 | The Grigoleit Company | Friction fit knob with anti-torque capabilities |
US6591457B1 (en) * | 2000-06-08 | 2003-07-15 | The Grigoleit Company | Multi-component button and a method of manufacturing it |
US6745883B2 (en) * | 2002-03-20 | 2004-06-08 | Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd. | Electric power tool |
US20030178280A1 (en) * | 2002-03-20 | 2003-09-25 | Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd. | Electric power tool |
US6767104B2 (en) | 2002-06-28 | 2004-07-27 | K I Industries, Inc. | Backlightable knob, which has indicator bonded intimately to light pipe, and method of making same |
US20040001329A1 (en) * | 2002-06-28 | 2004-01-01 | Worrell James L. | Backlightable knob, which has indicator bonded intimately to light pipe, and method of making same |
US20040070574A1 (en) * | 2002-10-04 | 2004-04-15 | Wylie Brian D. | Method and apparatus for appliance control and status display |
US7171727B2 (en) | 2002-10-04 | 2007-02-06 | Wolf Appliance Company, Inc. | Method and apparatus for appliance control and status display |
US20040107545A1 (en) * | 2002-12-06 | 2004-06-10 | K I Industries, Inc. | Method of making polymeric knob and polymeric knob made thereby |
US20050241112A1 (en) * | 2002-12-06 | 2005-11-03 | K L Industries, Inc. | Method of making polymeric knob and polymeric knob made thereby |
US7036188B1 (en) | 2004-03-24 | 2006-05-02 | The Grigoleit Company | Composite knob with light pipe leakage barrier |
US20060156515A1 (en) * | 2004-03-24 | 2006-07-20 | Howie Robert K Jr | Composite knob with light pipe leakage barrier |
US7203998B2 (en) * | 2004-03-24 | 2007-04-17 | The Grigoleit Company | Composite knob with light pipe leakage barrier |
US7195363B2 (en) | 2005-02-03 | 2007-03-27 | Emerson Electric Co. | Illuminated knob |
US20060171136A1 (en) * | 2005-02-03 | 2006-08-03 | Horoho David R | Illuminated knob |
US20110102918A1 (en) * | 2008-06-22 | 2011-05-05 | Windauer Bernard T | Operator-selectable-stop turret knob |
US8270104B2 (en) | 2008-06-22 | 2012-09-18 | Windauer Bernard T | Operator-selectable-stop turret knob |
US8670179B2 (en) | 2008-12-08 | 2014-03-11 | Bernard T. Windauer | Multi-function turret knob |
US20110035902A1 (en) * | 2009-08-11 | 2011-02-17 | Niles Co., Ltd. | Knob |
USD793205S1 (en) * | 2016-08-22 | 2017-08-01 | Gate Labs Inc. | Door lock |
USD957604S1 (en) * | 2019-10-29 | 2022-07-12 | Mitsubishi Electric Corporation | Air conditioner |
USD957603S1 (en) * | 2019-10-29 | 2022-07-12 | Mitsubishi Electric Corporation | Air conditioner |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US5669104A (en) | 1997-09-23 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: GRIGOLEIT COMPANY, THE, ILLINOIS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:HOWIE, ROBERT K. JR.;REEL/FRAME:006843/0418 Effective date: 19931230 |
|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
REMI | Maintenance fee reminder mailed | ||
LAPS | Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees | ||
STCH | Information on status: patent discontinuation |
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362 |
|
FP | Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee |
Effective date: 20070919 |